Granite City man picks up fourth DUI charge

Published
12:00 am CST, Wednesday, February 26, 2014

A rural Granite City man was charged Wednesday in Madison County Circuit Court with a felony charge of aggravated driving while under the influence, according to Madison County Sheriff Robert J. Hertz.

According to a release from the Sheriff’s Office, Gary W. Phelps, 33, of Meadow Lane in Granite City was at the scene of a single vehicle accident at the intersection W. Chain of Rocks Road and Maryville Road. Responding deputies identified the driver as Phelps.

Phelps appeared to be intoxicated at the scene and refused to submit to a field sobriety test, the release said. Phelps allegedly told the responding deputies that he was not the driver of the vehicle but evidence collected during the investigation proved otherwise. Deputies concluded Phelps lost control of his vehicle, for unknown reasons, and struck a utility pole.

A check on Phelps’ Illinois Driver’s License revealed it was revoked for a prior DUI offense. Phelps was arrested and transport to Madison County Jail where he was held pending a review of facts by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Offce.

Phelps qualified for the enhanced felony DUI offense due to having previously been convicted of three prior DUI offenses.

Phelps’ bond was set at $100,000.

Phelps was also charged with one misdemeanor charge of obstructing a peace officer, for providing the investigating deputy with false information as to his involvement in the accident. Phelps was also issued traffic citations for improper Lane usage, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, improper use of registration, no insurance and failure to wear a seatbelt.